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Korean · Reactions & Noises

극혐

geukyeom

geuk-HYUM · /kɯ.kʰjʌm/

So gross / absolutely revolting — maximum disgust in two syllables.

2/5 Bar-safe

coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances

Literally

"extreme + loathing (compressed)"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

Internet-age Korean loves compression, and 극혐 squeezes 극한의 혐오 ("extreme disgust") into two syllables. Deployed at cockroaches, gross food combinations, bad behavior on the subway, and exes. It's casual slang — fine among friends, a little blunt-force for polite company, and your grandmother will need a translation. The full-strength reaction to something physically revolting remains the classic 아 더러워 (a deoreowo, "ugh, filthy") or a simple full-body shudder, which is universal. Pair with 진짜 for emphasis: 진짜 극혐.

Heard in the wild

여름에 지하철에서 신발 벗는 사람, 극혐.

People who take their shoes off on the subway in summer — absolutely revolting.

Where it lands

South Korea (universal, internet-born slang; under-40 heavy)

Quick answers

What does "극혐" mean?
In Korean, "극혐" means "So gross / absolutely revolting — maximum disgust in two syllables.". Literally it's "extreme + loathing (compressed)". Internet-age Korean loves compression, and 극혐 squeezes 극한의 혐오 ("extreme disgust") into two syllables. Deployed at cockroaches, gross food combinations, bad behavior on the subway, and exes. It's casual slang — fine among friends, a little blunt-force for polite company, and your grandmother will need a translation. The full-strength reaction to something physically revolting remains the classic 아 더러워 (a deoreowo, "ugh, filthy") or a simple full-body shudder, which is universal. Pair with 진짜 for emphasis: 진짜 극혐.
Is "극혐" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
How do you pronounce "극혐"?
Say it "geuk-HYUM" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: kɯ.kʰjʌm.

Related in Korean

미친 michin mee-CHEEN Crazy — from 'that's insane(ly good)!' to 'you lunatic' to a genuine slur on someone's sanity. 어떡해 eotteokae uh-TTUH-keh Oh no / what do I do?! — the national noise of small panic. 헐 heol hul Whoa / no way / I can't even — the all-purpose stunned noise. 대박 daebak DEH-bahk Amazing! / jackpot! / no way! — awe in both directions, good and terrible. 아이고 aigo ah-ee-GOH Oh dear / oof / good grief — the sound of Korea sitting down after a long day. 진짜? jinjja jeen-JJAH Really?! / seriously — the conversational heartbeat.

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "Disgusting".

how to say "Disgusting" →

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